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EGP

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Lord of the Flies

by William Golding

bookshelves: currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in May 2025

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EGP said: " I guess I understand why we read it in school - it's a commentary on British society and their colonizer mindset. It's evident through the language of the boys on the island, declaring it theirs, comparing boulders to bombs, etc. If I didn't read it I guess I understand why we read it in school - it's a commentary on British society and their colonizer mindset. It's evident through the language of the boys on the island, declaring it theirs, comparing boulders to bombs, etc. If I didn't read it in school, the only reason I would otherwise is just because of how famous it is. But honestly, it wasn't that good. I think we over-emphasize the importance of it, the reality, and the metaphors - like would a bunch of boys ages 4-12 really start killing each other? going crazy, maybe. And why was the pilot the only one who died? Just to make sure kids were the only ones on the island, ik, but really? Idk, I think some of it is a bit excessive. As for figuratively, I think we dive too deep when discussing the conch, the fire, the "beast", etc. did golding really mean for us to think about everything that metaphorically? Maybe. And Golding is hailed as a literary genius and all that, but is he really? The story is interesting enough, concerning and slightly weird at points, but his writing style was not my favorite.

I think descriptive language can be used to enhance a story, but golding took it way too far. There were many instances of 2 paragraph - 2 page descriptions of things, like the creepers (vines). I did not need to read about all that, it makes the reader bored and takes away from the actual storytelling. And the characters... well first of all, their relationship with each other can be either realistic or kind of strange. For example, Jack and Ralph. They seem to be friends, yay young love (ik not actually but there were signs) and then boom Jack becomes a dictator. I understand that Golding needs to have parallels to society, but if we're talking realistically, that would not happen, maybe some bickering, some pushing and shoving, but killing? They're 11. And there is also Piggy. Yes, there has to be someone they're going to pick on, and it happens in real life too, so I won't complain too much about him. (But like did he really have to die like that?) A character I don't understand is Simon. He's the nice one so they have to kill him off, but the spirituality thing and the Lord of the Flies just seemed really random and not a good namesake, imo.

Ok, almost done, the ending was terrible. The Navy officer being incredibly clueless, and then another reference to the "the british are superior" thing. Another thing that I did not like was how Ralph was thinking about his "true, wise friend called Piggy". Friend?? Wise?? yes, readers know that, but little 11 year old ralph bullied him! maybe he came to his senses, but honestly, I don't think a kid of that age would bully someone then consider them a good, wise friend. I think it would have been better if the island burned down and they all died. he already killed off the wholesome characters, why keep the rest? And it would have had a better message. But overall, I don't quite regret reading it, it was interesting, but not aligned enough with reality, and not a very good writing style. ...more "

progress:

(page 58 of 182)
"reread" — Apr 13, 2026 04:07AM

Dec 14, 2025 01:00PM · see review